Indigenous ingredients for top South African hotel

Executive Chef Roberto de Carvalho of The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa has over the past two years created international interest for his unique Fynbos and Protea infused menu served at the Hotel’s stylish Azure Restaurant.

Fynbos forms part of the Cape floral kingdom, where it accounts for half of the surface area and 80% of the plant varieties. Of the world's six floral kingdoms, this is the smallest and richest per area unit. The diversity of fynbos plants is greater than that of the tropical rainforests, with over eight thousand (8000) species of plants occurring in the area, around 5000 of which are unique to South Africa.

Launched in 2004, de Carvalho uses local indigenous herbs picked daily from the Hotel’s own garden, which have been carefully selected for use in popular South African inspired dishes. “You’re eating something specific to the Cape,” says de Carvalho. “The menu is different and is not available anywhere else in the world, which makes it a must-try.”

Azure Restaurant is the first to introduce Fynbos cooking and the menu includes:

Starters:
• Spicy West-Coast Crayfish Bisque With wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) under a pastry dome
• Fynbos Button Mushroom Samoosas Made with tinsel flower essence (Alepidea Amatymbica), coriander and wild ginger (Siphonochilus Aethiopicus). Served with an apricot and lemon geranium (Pelargonium Betulinum) chutney
• Ostrich Fillet Carpaccio Rolled in thyme, wild rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus), bay leaf, black pepper and drizzled with Paarl grapeseed oil served with rocket leaves, tossed in wild dagga (Leonotis Leonurus) pesto, slow-roasted tomatoes and Pecorino shavings

Main Courses:
• Succulent Loin of Springbok Wrapped in Mango (Amaranthus hybridus) and cured bacon served with savoury samp brulee and a wild rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus) Namaqua brandy sauce
• Masala Seared Fillet of Kingklip Served with wild garlic (Tulbaghia capensis) and potato mash accompanied by vegetable sosaties and buchu (Agathosma-crenata) butter sauce
• Vegetable Potjiekos Cooked with thyme and wild rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus), served with buchu (Agathosma-crenata) glazed sweet potato

Desserts:
• Fynbos Crème Brulee Vanilla and lemon geranium (Pelargonium betulinum) crème brulee
• Ice Cream Rooibos (Aspalanthus lineare), fynbos honey and peppermint geranium (Pelargonium) with tuile spirals
• Bittersweet Chocolate Tart With wild dagga (Leonotis leonurus) and a flaky pastry

The three-course Cooking with Fynbos & Protea menu is available daily for lunch and dinner and is priced at R215.00 per person. This includes an optional screening of the evening movie at the Hotel’s deluxe 16-seater private cinema, Cine 12.

Azure, the signature restaurant of The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, boasts a contemporary and relaxed interior that combines with easy-listening background music, mesmerising sunsets across the Atlantic Ocean, appetizing cuisine and five-star service. Inspired by the African sunset and the South of France’s Côte D’Azure, Azure is clad in blue checked carpet that balances perfectly with the warmth of an Imboia wooden walkway.

Striking white coral pieces rest impressively on the centre display tables, unique silver-metallic coral objets by artist Walter Oltman are displayed on the mantelpieces and inky navy blue banquettes contrast with the elegant marine blue and cream walls. Comfortable navy blue leather chairs complement the crisp white table overlays bringing a fun and relaxed ambience to Azure.

Azure is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the dress code is smart-casual. The Sunday Brunch with live entertainment by songstress Jenie Oliver is a must-do when visiting Cape Town. This is a non-smoking venue however smoking is welcome on the terrace and in the Leopard Room Bar & Lounge.

To find out more visit 12apostleshotel.co.za.